Hoovering Up the Microplastics

Microplastics find their way into our oceans from many sources. For example, even 'green' electric vehicles produce particles of these substances from their tyres and braking systems. Krill are about the same size as microplastics. Predictably then, filter-feeding whales have become the largest consumers of microplastics on the planet (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/01/whales-ingest-millions-of-microplastic-particles-a-day-study-finds). A California study was carried out on Blue, Fin and Humpback whales. All consumed millions of microplastic particles each day. Blue whales, for example, ingested circa 10 million pieces in 24 hours. This equates to a billion microplastic particles in a 3-4 month feeding season. This ingested pollutant could weigh between 230 kg and 4 tonnes. Plastics have no nutriant value to the whales but their contaminants have been found in the animal's blubber (fatty insulation). The authors of the study, point out that Californian waters are relatively clean. Other parts of the world have oceans that are much more polluted. One would expect filter-feeding whales to 'hoover up' even more microplastics there. The exact effects of ingesting microplastics on the health of whales is yet to be determined. It's, however, likely to prove extremely detrimental to whales and many other marine organisms.